1987 toyota supra trouble starting

[derekrd]

I've been having a problem that has been occuring more and more and i am not sure what the problem is. I'd say about 90% of the time my car will start just fine but more recently it has been 50/50 or not at all. What happens is i go to start it and the engine won't turn over, all it does it make a clicking noise and nothing happens. I know it isn't the battery because all lights and accessories work fine and i'm not sure if it is the starter because i've been told that it is working fine also. I have noticed in the past that sometimes if i get out of the car and lock it from the outside and unlock it it will fix the problem, but this doesn't do anything anymore. Has anybody else had a similar problem? maybe it is the security system. I appreciate any help, thanks.

[Busted Knuckles]

If it were the security system, it wouldn't even click. It is the starter. This is a common problem with an intermittent failure due to worn contacts in the solenoid.

[ghost88]

Many have posted already but the "relay solution" seems to solve this problem. i about went crazy trying to understand why my supra wouldn't start but the older they get the more the contacts/wires come loose and corrode, they all should be replaced on all parts of the engine.

Basically buy a 6$ 4 prong (or 5 prong relay depending on whether you want to have a kill switch) and mount it on the fender wall(or wherever). It allows for a brand new wire (10-14gauge) to directly connect the battery to the starter when turning the ignition key. I put in this fix Sunday night and so far no problems, starter sounds much stronger.(Also check the + on the starter and make sure its not loose or corroded).

[Boombastic]

Originally Posted by ghost88

Many have posted already but the "relay solution" seems to solve this problem. i about went crazy trying to understand why my supra wouldn't start but the older they get the more the contacts/wires come loose and corrode, they all should be replaced on all parts of the engine.

Basically buy a 6$ 4 prong (or 5 prong relay depending on whether you want to have a kill switch) and mount it on the fender wall(or wherever). It allows for a brand new wire (10-14gauge) to directly connect the battery to the starter when turning the ignition key. I put in this fix Sunday night and so far no problems, starter sounds much stronger.(Also check the + on the starter and make sure its not loose or corroded).

That he is exactly right, I had never heard of the problem before until I bought a supra with that starting problem. The guy before me didn't even know and so he bought 3 re-manufactured starters before telling me about the relay fix. I tried other things before adding the relay because my dad thought I was crazy, but it turns out that was the simple fix and works perfect now. Good luck to you. Cheers.